confidently ridden, settled off strong pace in 4th, closed up before 6th, chased leader 2 out, led before last, shaken up and drew away flat
always towards rear, struggling 3 out, tailed off when eased before last
led and well clear 3rd, effort 5th, headed and weakened next, tailed off
settled behind clear leader, closed up before 6th, soon led, ridden and headed before last, no chance with winner
held up in mid-division, ridden and went poor 4th after 2 out, kept on flat
held up in rear, driven and struggling after 3 out, tailed off when eased before last
always rear, tailed off when eased before last
behind, losing touch when fell 5th
held up well in rear, plugged on after 2 out, never near leaders
settled 3rd and off the pace, mistake 4th, closed up before 6th, jumped left 2 out, soon no chance with front pair, finished tired
in rear when fell 5th
always rear division, tailed off 6th, eased before last
Medermit needs plenty of respect given his decent UK debut last time, however a penalty may leave him vulnerable and it is UNCLE ELI who receives the nomination. Blinkers are applied for the first time on Richard Rowe's gelding after a modest comeback at Huntingdon. He ran in some good races last year, including when not beaten far behind Punchestowns and Tazbar in races that have worked out well. The drop back in trip shouldn't be a problem and he gets the vote. Alan King has won two of the last three renewals; today he relies on Medermit. Following a win at Nantes in May, he has a penalty to carry and this probably stopped him winning at Exeter behind a decent sort in Mahonia. That form looks solid and it would be unwise to rule him out. Massini Moon showed ability in two starts in bumpers during the summer. It is intriguing that he has been kept to the National Hunt scene but then again he has a real jumping pedigree and is presumably fairly highly-thought-of. National Petition is a former winning point-to-pointer but shaped on his recent debut as if he'd need further, whilst the same probably applies to Ballygowna Star and Buffalo Bob. At a price it would be wise to keep an eye on Quazy De Joie and a fair third on debut despite being unfancied, however you should not passover Uncle Eli.
Medermit (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, tracked winner after 2nd, hit next, ridden after 3 out, kept on for clear 2nd but no chance with winner from next, hit last, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Mahonia (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs.
Achieved 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Marsam (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (3) gs.
Ballygowan Star (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Slowly away, took keen hold, behind, not fluent 1st or 3rd, never near to challenge, 7th of 12, 19l behind Sunsetten (10-5) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headed 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 11, well behind Alderluck (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Feel The Force (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 10th of 13, well behind Mont Present (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gd.
Massini Moon (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway 6f out, effort over 2f out. kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 11l behind For One Night Only (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in Jun.
National Petition (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, lost place 3rd, in rear after, 13th of 16, 48l behind Bakbenscher (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Optimum Asset (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) In touch, weakened over 6f out, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Latanier (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Quazy de Joie (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 7th, headway from 3 out, went 3rd last, stayed on, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Hunters Ploy (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 41l behind Lake Legend (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Evening Class 25-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 13th of 16, 17l behind Wade Farm Billy (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Sweet Robinia (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Kaladan (11-2) at Fakenham 2m nhf (5) gd in Oct.
